MK Party registration with IEC valid and above board, court rules
The MK Party initially had its registration application rejected by the IEC due to signature issues however the MK Party submitted a supplemented application, which was accepted by the IEC.
uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK) Party members celebrate on 26 March 2024, after the Electoral Court dismissed the ANC's application to have the party deregistered. Picture: Thabiso Goba/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The Electoral Court says the African National Congress (ANC) failed to follow proper guidelines in opposing the registration of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Part as a political formation.
The governing party failed in its bid to have the MK Party deregistered and removed from the election ballot.
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The ANC argued that the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) acted improperly in approving the MK application. However, the court has dismissed this, saying the IEC acted in compliance with all requirements of the Electoral Act.
On 9 and 30 June 2023, Umkhonto weSizwe published two notices in the Government Gazette stating its intention to form a political party.
According to the Electoral Act, any parties wishing to object to this had 14 days to do so.
Electoral Court Judge Lebogang Modiba said this should have been when the ANC submitted its objections.
“In both instances, it failed to do so. Therefore, it only has itself to blame for not being aware of the 4th of August 2023 decision [to register MK].”
MK party founder Jabulani Khumalo welcomed the decision, saying the court application showed the ANC felt threatened.